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Archive for December 10th, 2015
Beijing Looks Like Climate Horror Movie Right Now
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on December 10th, 2015
Huffington Post: Beijing's air pollution has engulfed the famous landmarks of the Chinese city in clouds of smog, shut down outdoor activities and prompted the government to issue its first-ever "red alert" for pollution on Monday. Photos of the city look like something out of a climate horror movie.
The thick smog, which began rolling in last week, will take an even more apocalyptic turn from Tuesday to Thursday. For three days, the red alert will force the city's 20 million residents to stay home from school,...
COP21: African campaigners demand compensation for global warming
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on December 10th, 2015
Independent: African campaigners are demanding compensation for the huge damage being inflicted on the continent by global warming – a problem that has been caused by the rich countries but will hit poor nations the hardest.
As the United Nations summit to tackle climate change nears its conclusion, African politicians and NGOs are calling for the developed world to provide cash to help them deal with the consequences of a warming planet.
Compensation should cover everything from storm damage and crop failure...
Posted in Water Conservation 
Comments Off on COP21: African campaigners demand compensation for global warmingAsia’s coastal cities face challenge of rising seas
Posted by Associated Press: Katy Daigle on December 10th, 2015
Associated Press: The future will be a watery one for some of the world's biggest cities.
Predicted sea level increases this century mean many face increased flooding, stronger storm surges and unpredictable weather. How well coastal cities can cope will dramatically affect quality of life and their economic destiny. Many of the biggest are in Asia, powering economies while housing hundreds of millions of poor in sprawling slums.
Scientists generally agree seas will rise an average of 1 meter (3 feet) this century,...
Climate negotiators face hurdles on key issues as deadline looms
Posted by New York Times: Coral Davenport on December 10th, 2015
New York Times: Less than two days before their deadline to conclude a sweeping new climate accord, negotiators from nearly 200 countries have yet to resolve major issues, such as how and when pledged cuts to carbon emissions would be verified. Lead negotiators said they were confident that a deal could still be reached — and perhaps in time to meet the Friday deadline. But some outside observers who have been monitoring the talks said that the compromises necessary to bring it across the finish line could weaken...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Climate negotiators face hurdles on key issues as deadline loomsRising seas expected sink islands near US capital in 50 years
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on December 10th, 2015
New Scientist: The 700 or so people who live on the Tangier islands may be among the first climate refugees in the US when their current home disappears under water.
This could happen to much of the main island - located 170 kilometres south-east of Washington DC - in as little as 50 years, unless defences are built to hold back the rising tides.
"What`s amazing is that this is a short flight away from Washington DC, so it`s right in our backyard," says David Schulte of the US Army Corps of Engineers in Norfolk...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Rising seas expected sink islands near US capital in 50 yearsWitnessing worst wildfire season in recorded history
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on December 10th, 2015
Washington Post: The nation is closing in on its worst wildfire season in recorded history, with nearly 9.8 million acres already burned -- the equivalent of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and part of New Hampshire going up in flames.
Two large fires and more than 160 smaller ones remain active, and more fires are expected to be reported before the month ends. Together, they’re likely to push the 2015 total past the record 9.87 million acres burned in 2006.
The extent of scorched earth reflects a...
Chinese protesters clash with police over garbage dump
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on December 10th, 2015
Reuters: Chinese police have clashed with hundreds of protesters opposed to the construction of a rubbish depot because of health worries, residents and media said on Thursday, in the latest incident of public anger over the environment.
The demonstrators overturned a police car and scuffled with officers in the city of Wuhan in Hubei province, according to photographs on Weibo, China's version of Twitter, posted by the Jingchu Network, a website run by the provincial propaganda department.
Four residents...